CS5 - NZIIPA - Big Brother

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by vdog on June 7, 2010 at 8:18pm

You weren't kidding about it being bitter, Dale! Last of today's case swap session, bit confusing drinking two Dale beers in a row...

Pours a hazy dark gold, with a tight white head that disappears pretty quickly. Reminded me a bit of Sierra Nevada Torpedo in aroma - that kind of heavy caramel/toffee thing with hops that you just know are going to be savage. The taste pretty much just followed through with what the aroma promised - surprisingly balanced for how bitter it was, with a nice hop aroma going on too.

Another good-un from the case swap - cheers Dale.

Permalink Reply by Martin Bridges on June 8, 2010 at 8:12pm

Perhaps not the best beer to sample while doing some late evening work, but it was the next in line in the fridge.

Pours a deep amber, heading towards tan. Decanted into a jug then poured fairly vigorously into a glass. Small head.

Aroma is definitely hoppy, although I could have mistaken it for US hops had I not known it was Kiwi hops.

Wowser! Where's my tooth enamel gone?! Real punch-in-the-face bitterness. Really highlights that most of the bitterness sensors are down the sides of the tongue, coz that's where it lingers.

I get a fruity, almost sherbety sweetness initially, then the cavalcade of bitterness crashes in and obliterates it. Balanced this is not, but I suspect that wasn't the intention.

Finishes dry as a mutha too, which possibly contributes to the lasting perception of bitterness.

It's a really interesting flavour profile. Personally I'd prefer a little more balance, but then I've been accused of being a wuss in the past.

Certainly memorable! Good work Dale.

Permalink Reply by Martin Bridges on June 8, 2010 at 9:22pm

Maybe it's just the alcohol that's making me feel happy, but I'm feeling much better about this beer at the end of the glass. I still think the bitterness is a little on the aggressive side, but the fruity hoppiness is becoming more evident.

And before you ask it wasn't chilled to death. My kegerator is set to English cellar temperatures (10-12 degrees).

I'm certainly glad that you contributed this Dale.

Permalink Reply by Dale Cooper on June 8, 2010 at 10:10pm

Thanks Martin. I myself found this beer is quite changable and can certainly change in the glass. Thanks for the feedback.

Permalink Reply by Mike Neilson on June 9, 2010 at 7:35pm

1st one of the bat, Cloudy Orange, Tight tall proud head that I think is from the higher side of the carbonation, nice bit of caramel in there and a good wach of tropical citrus hops. Its bitter and I think that ecentuated by the dryness of the beer and which it comes across a little astrigent,

Nice flavours!!

Permalink Reply by James P on June 12, 2010 at 7:50pm

First for a Saturday night at home with the kids while the wife is out, and given I spent the day literally swimming in hops I thought I would try the NZIIPA.

Pours an orange, slight red colour with tight head which drops away quickly. Upfront aroma of fruit and sweet caramel. The bitterness is quite awesome, and like eating the chilli... then getting the "wholly f**k that's hot". Very dry finish and chalky. It's definitely an IIPA in my books!

That's makes an awesome start to the night, cheers Dale!
J.

Permalink Reply by Reviled on June 15, 2010 at 12:24pm

Pours a hazy amber with a small head, intense tropical fruit on top of toffee and caramel with hints of strawberrys and candy. More balanced up front than the aroma indicates with a chewy fruited candy note before the savage lingering bitter finish! Awesome beer mate!

Permalink Reply by MrC on June 19, 2010 at 1:28pm

I've been in a hoppy mood lately so found myself reaching for a Big Brother.

Poured cold & hard straight from the bottle. Hazy amber with a white head that hang around while I assessed it. Aroma of hops & bread with a little perfume. Sauvin was the only obvious hop that came through in the aroma for me. Soft in the mouth and warm in the stomach. Bitterness was strong and made itself known all around the mouth & teeth. Caramel sweetness contrasts the bitterness & makes it drinkable. A long bitter finish that again is all around the mouth. The bitterness dominates the drinking experience for me. Occasional black pepper in the finish with bitter oranges.

IIPA is not a style that I'm very familiar with. For me this beer too big in the bitterness/sweetness department. Although it seemed balanced, I thought the amount of sweetness required to balance that much bitterness made the beer a little cloying. This beer confused my palate as although I found it a little cloying it was still obviously bitter??? Probably just a lack of experience of IIPAs on my palate.

Took me 1.5 hours to drink the 750ml!!!

Cheers Dale, a lesson in bitterness for Mr Cherry.

Permalink Reply by MrC on June 19, 2010 at 1:32pm

How many IBUs on that Dale?

Permalink Reply by Dale Cooper on June 23, 2010 at 8:53am

I'm not sure of the IBUs but I think its well over 100

Permalink Reply by Ally Mcg on June 22, 2010 at 5:15pm

Drinking this one this afternoon. Big tropical fruit salad nose with a bit of hot alcohol but in a pleasant way that lets you know what you're going to drink is BIG. Sweet malt which is almost perfectly balanced by the bitterness. My opinion of the malt/bitterness balance has changed as I've enjoyed the 750ml (decanted into a jug and drank one imperial half pint at a time) and I think the longer it settles the more balanced it becomes, not that I minded the huge slice of bitterness on first sip.

Reminds me of something i tried in the State last year but i can't think quite what. Really enjoyable beer thanks Dale, one to be sipped slowly over a couple of hours. Cheers